Resilient Homes Program

What is the Resilient Homes Program?

The Resilient Homes Program (RHP) is delivered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), established by the NSW Government to provide financial assistance to help communities recover from disasters.

The RHP is open to eligible, prioritised homeowners in the Central West, or the Northern Rivers regions impacted by the 2022 floods.

RA uses flood mapping to determine eligibility for the program.

Under the program, homeowners may be eligible for:

1. home buyback
2. home raising
3. home rebuild
4. home relocation
5. home retrofit.

For more information, see About the Resilient Homes Program and Eligibility and prioritisation for the Resilient Homes Program on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.

How can I apply for the Resilient Homes Program?

You can apply online through the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s website or call 1800 844 085.

For more information about the application process, see Applying for the Resilient Homes Program on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.

What if I applied but I have not received a decision or I am unhappy with the decision?

You may be able to request an internal review or appeal.

You can ask for an internal review or appeal of decisions made by RA, including if you:

• don’t qualify for the RHP
• disagree with the type of assistance that you have been offered (e.g. were offered home raising but you want a buy back)
• disagree with the amount of the offer
• disagree with the scope of works proposed by RA (for home raising, home relocation, home rebuild, home retrofit)
• have not received a decision.

For more information, see Internal review and appeals (Resilient Homes Program) on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.

Can I seek a review or appeal based on my individual and exceptional circumstances?

For certain decisions made by the RA, you can seek a review or appeal based on your individual and exceptional circumstances.

This policy ensures that funding is directed to people who, in the event of a future flood, may face additional challenges and barriers when it comes to their safety.

RA can consider one or more individual circumstances in determining an applicant’s eligibility for the RHP, including:

• the homeowner’s age
• where a homeowner has a disability or medical condition, or cares for a person with a disability or medical condition
• disadvantage associated with a homeowner’s socio-economic or financial hardship status
• where a homeowner has a serious mental health condition
• where a homeowner has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

For more information, see Individual and exceptional circumstances (Resilient Homes Program) on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.

How can I get legal help?

The Disaster Response Legal Service provides free, statewide legal advice and help with the Resilient Homes Program, including on:

• eligibility
• the application process
• understanding your offer for a home buyback, home raise, home rebuild, home relocation, home retrofit or other resilient measure
• lodging an internal review or appeal if you have not received a decision or are unhappy with RA’s decision
• waiving a co-contribution fee that may apply.

You can call 1800 801 529 to book a free appointment with a solicitor from the Disaster Response Legal Service.

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